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Increase Engagement, Academic Performance, Social Skills, Wellbeing, and More with Gaming!
To focus on improvement, educators must identify strategies that enhance multiple aspects of student learning and well-being simultaneously. Scholastic gaming is such a strategy. Implementing an afterschool esports program or integrating gaming concepts into core curriculum has been shown to increase attendance, engagement, school culture, academic performance, social skills, emotional wellness, and self-esteem. This is particularly effective for students who have been historically neglected or overlooked by modern education trends. Scholastic gaming can be transformative for at-risk, neglected, and delinquent students, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, migratory children, English Language Learners, rural school communities, individuals with disabilities, Native populations, marginalized groups, and ALL students. Implementing this strategy effectively offers a greater return on investment than many other educational initiatives. Learn how to implement it with your students!
This talk was presented at:
2026 National ESEA Conference
February 2026
in
Denver, CO
For more information:
www.gamingconcepts.gg/esports-curriculum
Speakers
Heidi Albin
Heidi Albin is a Milken Educator and National Presidential Awardee for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. She has an M.S. in secondary education and is a member of the STEM Teacher Leadership Network, a PAEMST mentor, a cofounder of the Milkens of the West, and a veteran educator. Heidi has 14 years of experience teaching at-risk students in both the alternative and traditional high school settings. After helping her school receive recognition as a Character.org State and National School of Character, Heidi coauthored "186 Days of Character," a yearlong, free curriculum which was recognized by the State of Kansas as official character education curriculum. As a member of a national 100k in 10 project team, she helped to improve teacher preparation around the county. Heidi has shared her resources with hundreds of educators across the country by presenting at conferences and serving as a teacher mentor. More recently, Heidi has coauthored seven curriculum books, including Gaming Concepts: Interactive Media, Computer Applications, Streaming, Shoutcasting, Digital Life Skills, Fundamentals, and Intro to Technology.
Dr. Mike Russell
Dr. Michael Russell was a small business owner prior to beginning a career in alternative education. Russell championed the idea of utilizing esports and gaming in the classroom to reach students who were disengaged from school, and then cofounded Gaming Concepts. During his time in the classroom, Russell assisted numerous educators in creating after-school esports programs and implementing for-credit scholastic gaming into their classrooms. Russell was awarded the Kansas Horizon Award for excellence in teaching and is often an invited speaker at educational and esports conferences.
ESEA Network
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
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About Us
The National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators (formerly the National Title I Association) is dedicated to building the capacity of education professionals to provide disadvantaged children with a high quality education. Their ESEA Network website provides a host of resources to educators at all levels.
Connect with Us
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